I’m Tina. Today, at 68, I’m standing in a room filled with laughter, surrounded by family and friends, all here to celebrate my husband, Patrick, and me.
It’s our 50th wedding anniversary, a milestone that feels surreal, considering the path we took to get here. Our life together sounds like a story — sometimes like a dream, and other times, like a nightmare I’d never wish on anyone. But every bit of it is true.
We were just kids when I first met him. I was barely fifteen, and still figuring out how to find my way around my new high school.
My family had moved across the state that summer and everything felt strange and out of place.
On my first day, I found myself lost, looking for my math class. As I stumbled down the hallway, I felt a sudden shove from behind, and my books went flying.
A group of girls laughed, their voices cold and mocking.
“Guess you didn’t see that coming, huh?” one of them sneered.
I bent down, feeling my face burn, wishing I could disappear. Just then, a voice cut through the noise……(((Continue)))